Essential Information

Location
Royal Observatory

Would you like to see something that is as old as the Earth and the Sun itself? 

Our meteorite is a large hunk of mostly iron with just under 10% of nickel. It was formed around the same time as our Sun and the Earth and after a leisurely tour of the Solar System as the centre of an asteroid, it came crashing down into southern Africa as the Gibeon Meteorite.

The Nama people used smaller bits of the meteorite for tools and countless chunks remained scattered over a large area. In 1836 Englishman J. E. Alexander collected samples and sent them to London. John Herschel confirmed they were indeed not of this planet.

We’ve sliced away one side of the meteorite so that you can see what it looks like inside and it has this beautiful pattern of metal crystals inside - those crystals only form if the metal has cooled over millions of years, just a few degrees every million years.

Item on loan courtesy of the Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London

Learn more in the Royal Observatory Astronomy Centre

Travel through the Universe and learn all about space

Choose your tickets

Royal Observatory

  • Visit the Prime Meridian line
  • See the best view in London
  • Guaranteed entry time
  • Audio guide included
  • Planetarium shows not included
Adultfrom £20
Childfrom £10
BOOK NOW

Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass

  • Save with a combo ticket
  • Entry to Cutty Sark
  • Entry to Royal Observatory
  • Guaranteed entry time
  • Planetarium shows not included
Adultfrom £30
Childfrom £15
BOOK NOW

Member tickets

  • Unlimited free entry
  • Priority booking and exclusive events
  • Access using your membership card
Membership card number required
BOOK NOW

Become a Member

  • Unlimited entry all year
  • Royal Observatory
  • Cutty Sark
  • Planetarium Shows
  • Special exhibitions
Direct Debit One-off
Individual: £50 Individual: £60
Family: from £60 Family: from £70
JOIN TODAY